NPTEL C OURSE ON

M ATHEMATICS IN I NDIA :
F ROM V EDIC PERIOD TO M ODERN TIMES

L ECTURE 2
Vedas and Sulbasutras
- Part 1

K. Ramasubramanian
IIT Bombay

Outline

Mathematics in the Antiquity: Vedas and Sulbas

utras Part 1
I

Introduction

Mathematical references in Vedas

What are Sulbas

utra texts?

What does the word Sulbas

utra mean?

Qualities of a Sulbak
ara

Finding the cardinal directions

Methods for obtaining perpendicular bisector

Bodh
ayana method of constructing a square

The Sulba
theorem (Bodh
ayana & M
anava version)

A few triplets listed in Sulbas

utras (general principle?)

Applications of Sulba
theorem

Introduction
Broad classification of Knowledge Mun.d.aka-Upanis.ad

Mathematical references in Vedas

Citations that unambiguously point to the decimal system being in vogue
I

In Kr..sn.a-Yajur-Veda we find an interesting passage wherein a

sequence of ascending numbers appear in the context of
offering venerations to Agni (Fire God).

x +ea A:
.sa:k
+;ae na:maH ;a.d
:~tea na:maH ;aa:~tea na:maH

...

x +.tva:~tea na:maH Za:ta:k

x +.tva:~tea na:maH A.a:sa:h:~:a:k
x +.tva:~tea na:maH
d:Za:k
x +.tva:~tea na:maH
A:pa:a=;a.ma:ta:k
na:ma:~tea A:~tua ma.a ma.a ;a.h>+sa.aH

O fire, salutations unto you once. Salutations twice.

Salutations thrice . . .
Salutations ten times. Salutations hundred times.
Salutations a thousand times.
Salutations unto you unlimited times.
My venerations to you, never ever hurt me.

. yakam 4.69.
Taittirya Aran

Mathematical references in Vedas

Citations that unambiguously point to the decimal system being in vogue
I We find yet another passage presenting a list of powers of 10 starting

from hundred (102 ) to a trillion (1012 ).

Za:ta.a:ya .~va.a:h.a .sa:h:~:a. a:ya .~va.a:h.a:yua:ta.a:ya .~va.a:h.a ;

a.na:yua:ta.a:ya .~va.a:h.a

:pra:yua:ta.a:ya .~va.a:h.a:bRua:d.a:ya .~va.a:h.a nya:bRua:d.a:ya .~va.a:h.a .sa:mua:d:a:ya .~va.a:h.a

ma:Dya.a:ya .~va.a:h.a:nta.a:ya .~va.a:h.a

. . . :pa.=:a:Da.Ra:ya

.~va.a:h.a

Hail to hundred, . . . hail to hundred thousand . . . hail to

hundred million . . . hail to trillion.
I We also find a list of odd numbers and multiples of four occuring in

Taittirya-sam
a (4.5.11):
. hit

I O;:k+a ..ca mea ; a.ta:~:a:(

a mea :pa.*.a
..ca mea

. . . O;:k+.aa>+Za:a

a:ya:a.~:a>+Za:a
/
mea
I ..ca:ta:~:a:(
a meaY:.Ea ..ca mea d
.a:d:Za ..ca mea
meaY:.a:.ca:tva.a:a=>+Za:a mea

Taittirya-sam
a 7.2.49.
. hit

mea

. . . ..ca:tua:(
a:tva.a:a=>+Za:a

Mathematical references in Vedas

Citations that unambiguously point to the decimal system being in vogue
I In the second Man
. d.ala of R
. g-veda we find multiples of ten listed.
ta.a ;a.vMa:Za:tya.a ;aMa:Za:ta.a ya.a h:a:va.Ra:k
,
. ca:tva.a:a=M;Za:ta.a h:a=;a.Ba:yRua.ja.a:naH

ta.a :pa.
*.a.a:Za:ta.a .sua.=;sea:a.Ba:a=;nd :Sa:a.a .sa:a:tya.a .sa.ea:ma :pea:ya:m,a
A:Za.a:tya.a na:va:tya.a ya.a:h:a:va.Ra:k
,
Za:tea:na h:a=;a.Ba.+.h:a:ma.a:naH
A:yMa ;a.h .tea

...

[R
. g-veda 2.18.5-6.]

O Indra, Please come with twenty, thirty, forty horses . . . with sixty,
seventy . . . carried by hundred horses.
I Elsewhere we find the appearance of an interesting number 3339.

a.a:a.Na Za:ta.a a.a:sa:h:~:a. a:Nya: a.

+;aM ;aMa:Za:(
a :de:va.a na:va . ca.a:sa:pa:yRa:n,a
A.Ea:[a:n,a ;Gxa:tEa.=;sxa:Na:n,a ba:a.hR.=;sma.a

...

[R
. g-veda 3.9.9.]

It is interesting to note that 3339 = 33 + 303 + 3003, and is also close to 18

years ( period of eclipse cycle).
I We also find a mantra referring to the notion of infinite ().
:pUa:NRa:ma:dH

:pUa:NRa:a.ma:dM

...

:pUa:NRa:~ya :pUa:NRa:ma.a:d.a:ya :pUa:NRa:mea:va.a:va ;a.Za:Sya:tea


Mathematics in the Sulbas
utra texts
What are these texts, and where do they fall in the Vedic corpus?
I

One of the prime occupations of the vedic people seem to have

been performing sacrifices, for which altars of prescribed shapes
and sizes were needed.

Recognizing that manuals would be greatly helpful in

constructing such altars, the vedic priests have composed a

class of texts called Sulba-s

utras.

These texts (earliest of which is dated prior to 800 BCE), form a

part of much larger corpus known as Kalpas
utras that include:
I (ra.Ea:ta

Employed in rituals associated with societal welfare.

I gxa:h:a

Rituals related to household.

I ;Da:mRa

Duties3 and General code of conduct.

I Zua:ba

Geometry of the construction of fire-altar.

Sa
nkara
Adi

in his commentary on Upanis.ads defines the term dharma as

anus..they
an
am
am
anyavacanam.
. s
3


What does the word Sulba
mean?
I

The word sulba stems from the root Zua:ba-ma.a:nea (to measure).

The etymological derivation of the word can be presented in

more than one way:
Ba.a:va:v.yua:tpa:aa

Zua:ba:na:m,a

Zua:baH

Refers to the act of measuring.

k+.mRa:v.yua:tpa:aa

k+=;Na:v.yua:tpa:aa

Zua:ba:ya:tea I+ a.ta Zua:baH

Refers to the entity/result of measuring.

Zua:ba:ya:tya:nea:na I+ a.ta Zua:baH

Refers to the instrument of measuring.

I

The complete derivation of the compound word Sulbas

utras,
including the grammatical peculiarities is:
Zua:ba:na:m,a

Zua:baH

(Zua:b,a +

)4

;Ga:V,a

ta:tsa:}ba:a.nDa
/  .sUa.a.a:a.Na

This type of derivation based on bh

avavyutpatti is governed by the s
utra
bh
ave gha
n.


The extant Sulbas
utras
I

So far seven different Sulbas

utra texts have been identified by
scholars. They are:

1. Baudh
ayana Sulbas
utra

2. Apastamba Sulbas
utra

3. K
aty
ayana Sulbas
utra

4. M
anava Sulbas
utra,

5. Maitr
ayan.a Sulbas
utra

6. V
araha Sulbas
utra and

7. V
adh
ula Sulbas
utra

Of them, Bodh
ayana Sulbas
utra is considered to be the most
ancient one.5 (prior to 800 BCE).

It also presents a very systematic and detailed treatment of

several topics that are skipped in later texts.

It is made up of three chapters constituting about 520 s

utras
(113 + 83 + 323).

This assessment is based upon the style, completeness, and certain

archaic usages that are not that frequently found in later texts.


Commentaries on Sulbas
utras
The table below presents a list of some of the important

commentaries on three earlier Sulbas

utras:

Sulbas
utra

Name of the comm.

Author

Bodhayana

Sulbad
pik
a

Sulba-m
m
am
a
. s

Sulbavy
akhy
a

Sulbaprad
pik
a

Sulbapradpa

Sulbabh
a.sya

Sulbas
utravivr.tti

Sulbas
utravivaran.a

Sulbas
utrabh
a.sya

Dv
arak
an
atha Yajva
Venkat.esvara Dks.ita
Kapardisvamin
Karavindasvamin
Sundarar
aja
Gop
ala
R
ama/R
amacandra
Mahdhara
Karka

Apastamba

Katyayana


Qualities of a Sulbak
ara
I

Mahdhara (c. 17th cent) in his vivr.ti on K

aty
ayanasulbas
utra
succinctly describes the qualities of a sulbak
ara.

+;a.
.sa:*

a:aH

:pa:a=;ma.a:Na:aH

.sa:ma:sUa.a:
a.na.=;VC+kH

.sa:ma:sUa.a.Ea Ba:vea:a.d
:d
.a:n,a Zua:ba:a.va:t,a :pa:a=;pxa:.cC+kH
Za.a:~:a:bua:
a;d
:a.va:Ba.a:ga:aH :pa.=;Za.a:~:a:k
u +.tUa:h:lH
;a.Za:a.
//
pa:ByaH

.~Ta:pa: a.ta:Bya:(
a.a:pya.a:d:d.a:ta ma:ta.aH .sa:d.a

; a.ta:yRa.*+;.
a .sa:va.Ra:TRaH :pa.a.(;Ra:ma.a:nya.a:(
a ya.ea:ga:a.va:t,a
a:nya.a:(
k+=;Na.a:na.Ma ;a.va:Ba.a:ga:aH ;
a.na:tya.ea:d;au :+.
(a .sa:vRa:d.a

A sulbak
ara must be versed in arithmetic, versed in
mensuration, . . . must be an inquirer, quite knowledgeable in
ones own discipline, must be enthusiastic in learning other
disciplines, always willing to learn from [practising] scluptors
and architects . . . and one who is always industrious.
I

The above anonymous citation clearly brings forth the point that
a sulbak
ara, is far more than a mere geometer.

Topics covered in the Baudh

ayana-
sulbas
utra
Sanskrit name
:=e;Ka.a:ma.a:na:pa:a=;Ba.a:Sa.a
. ca:tua.=;(ra:k+=;Na.ea:pa.a:yaH
k+=;Nya.a:na:ya:na:m,a

[ea.a.a:k+a.=;pa:a=;Na.a:maH
na.a:na.a:a.va:Da:vea:a.d:a.va:h.=;Na:m,a

A:
+;a.a:na.Ma :pra:ma.a:Na:[ea.a:ma.a:na:m,a

+;a.
I+:k+.sa:*

a:pa:a=;ma.a:Na.a:a.d:k+.Ta:na:m,a

I+:k+ea:pa:Da.a:nea .=:a:tya.a:a.d:
a.na:NRa:yaH
I+:k+ea:pa:Da.a:na:pra:k+a.=H
Zyea:na:
a. ca:d.a:d;a. a:k+a.=;
a.na.+pa:Na:m,a

Their English equivalent

Units of linear measurement
Construction of squares, rectangles, etc.
Obtaining the surds/Theorem of the square of
the diagonal
Transformation of geometrical figures
Plan for different sacrifical grounds (d
arsa,
pasubandha, sutr
aman.i, agnis..toma etc.)
Areas of the sacrificial fires/altars
Specifying the number of bricks used in the
construction of altars including their sizes and
shapes.
Choosing clay, sand, etc. in making bricks
Process of manufacturing the bricks
Describing the shapes of syenaciti, etc.

In fact the text commences with the s

utra

A:Tea:meaY: a.
+;a:.ca:ya.aH

(Now we describe the fire altars).


Expression for the surds given in Sulbas
utra texts
I

Besides presenting the details related to the construction of

altarsthat generally possess a bilateral symmetrythe

Sulba-s
utra texts also present different interesting
approximations for surds.

The motivation for presenting estimates of surds could be traced

to the attempts of vedic priests
I
I

to solve the problem of squaring a circle and vice versa

to construct a square whose area is n times the area of a
give square, and so on.

The expressions for surds presented in the form

N = N0 +

1
1
1
+
+
+ ...,
n1
n1 n2
n1 n2 n3

can be understood in different ways, of which we will describe

the Geometrical construction.

Topics that we plan to discuss

I

Finding the cardinal directions using sanku.

Construction of perpendicular bisectors.

Construction of rectilinear (square, trapezia, etc.) and curvilinear

(circles, vedis, etc.) geometrical objects.

Enunciation of geometric principles and practical application of

them. We demonstrate it with
I

Transformation of one geometrical object into another by

applying these principles.
Obtaining the value of surds by means of geometrical
construction.

Estimating the value of surds (in the form of a sequence of

rational numbers).

Construction of altars (citis) of different sizes and shapes

(falcons, tortoise, chariot wheel, and so on).

Dertermining the east-west line

I

Determining the exact east-west line at a given location, is a

pre-requisite for all constructions, be it a residence, a temple, a
sacrificial altar or a fire-place.

The procedure for its determination is described thus:

.sa:mea Za:*:
u M ;
a.na:Ka.a:ya

Za:*:u +sa:a.m/ / / /ma:ta:ya.a

.=:va.a

Za:*:+g{
a:.cC;a:ya.a ;
a.na:pa:ta: a.ta ta.a Za:
*:
/
ta

U ;
a.na:h:a.n

OA forenoon shadow

OB afternoon shadow
X
E

O
S

N
A

ma:Nq+lM :pa:a=;
a.l+K.ya ya.a le+Ka:ya.eaH

.sa.a :pra.a:.ca.a

[Kt. Su. I 2]

Fixing a pin (or gnomon) on levelled

ground and drawing a circle with a
cord measured by the gnomon,7 he
fixes pins at points on the line (of the
circumference) where the shadow of
the tip of the gnomon falls. That gives
the east-west line (pr
ac).

This prescription implies r > 2OX , and has astronomical significance.

Time from shadow measurement

(not in Sulbas
utras)

Figure: Zenith distance and the length of the shadow.

t = (R sin)


R cos z
R sin .
cos cos

If and are known ( = f (, )), then t is known.

Why perform experiment to dertermine the directions?

I

Posing the question why not simply look at the sunrise or

sunset, and be with it to find the east? the commentator
Mahdhara observes:
. . . ta:~ya

o+d:ya:~Ta.a:na.a:na.Ma ba:hu:tva.a:t,a :pra: a.ta:a.d:nMa ;a.Ba:a:tva.a:t,a A:

a.na:ya:mea:na

:pra.a:.ca.a a.a:tMua na Za:k+.a.a ta:sma.a:t,a Za:*:

u +~Ta.a:pa:nea:na :pra.a:.ca.a:sa.a:Da:na:mua:+.m,a

d:a.[a:Na.a:ya:nea ;
a. ca.a.a:pa:yRa:nta:ma:k+eRaY:Byua:de: a.ta mea:Sa:tua:l;a:sa:*:
" ;a:tya:he :pra.a:.cya.Ma
Zua.;
d .a:ya.a:mua:de: a.ta ta:ta.eaY:k+Ra:t,a :pra.a:.ca.a:a.a:nMa d
u :GRa:f:m,a

Since the rising points are many, varying from day to day,
the [cardinal] east point cannot be known [from the sunrise
point]. Therefore it has been prescribed that the east be
determined by fixing a sanku.

. . . Therefore, simply looking at

the sun and determining the east is difficult.
I

Having obtained the east-west direction, the next problem is to

find out north-south. How to do that?

Methods for obtaining perpendicular bisector

Two methods have been described for obtaining the

perpendicular bisector of a given straight line:
I .=:va:Bya:sa:na:m,a

(folding the cord)

I ma:t~ya:
a..ca.a:Na:m,a

(drawing fish-figure)

How to draw a perpendicular bisector using the

cord-folding method is discussed by K
aty
ayana, in the third
s
utra right at the beginning of his text.

Having obtained pr
ac, getting udic (the north-south line),
correctly is extremely important for the construction of
various altars having bilateral symmetry.

Construction of perpendicular bisector:

,

ta:d:nta.=M .=:$va.a:Bya:~ya

x +.tva.a
:pa.a:Za.Ea k

;
a.na:h:a.n
/
ta O;:va:mua.a.=;taH

Za:*:;e
aH

:pa.a:Za.Ea :pra: a.ta:mua:.cya

Cord-folding method

d:a.[a:Na.a:ya:}ya ma:Dyea Za:*:

u M

.sa.ea:d.a:.ca.a

Doubling the cord by a measure of distance between them (sankus),

. . . and
stretching (the cord) towards the south, strikes a pin at the middle point . . . .
E

(a)
A

(c)

(b)
A

In the figure above, in (a), A and B represent pins along east-west direction to
which the cord is tied. In (b), weve doubled the cord AB. (c) represents
stretching AB on both sides to get the north-south direction.

Construction of perpendicular bisector:

Fish-figure method

I In this method, as shown in the figure below, having obtained the

east-west direction by the shadow of the sanku,

we mark two points

along the east-west line.
I With those points as centres, and choosing an appropriate radius,

circular arcs are drawn.

I The line passing through the intersection points of these two arc gives

the north-south direction.

Bodhayanas method of constructing a square

Systematic procedure that involves cord & nails, but
. ca:tua.=;(rMa ;
a. ca:k
 +a:SRa:n,a ya.a:va:a.a:k
 +a:SeRa:t,a ta.a:va:ta.Ma .=:
*.Mau o+Ba:ya:taH

NO OTHER MEASURING DEVICE

x +.tva.a ma:Dyea l+[a:NMa k+=:ea: a.ta

:pa.a:ZMa k

le+Ka.a:ma.a:
a.l+K.ya ta:~ya ma:Dyea Za:*:
/ / / / a :pa.a:Za.Ea :pra: a.ta:mua:.cya l+[a:Nea:na ma:Nq+lM
u M ;
a.na:h:nya.a:t,a ta:a.sma:n,
:pa:a=;
a.l+Kea:t,a ;a.va:Sk+.}Ba.a:nta:ya.eaH

/ / / /
ma:n,a :pa.a:ZMa :pra: a.ta:mua:.cya
Za:*:
U ;
a.na:h:nya.a:t,a :pUa:vRa:a.s

Desirous of constructing a square, may you take a cord of that length, tie it at both the
ends and mark its centre. Draw a line and fix a nail at its centre. Latching the ends . . .

P
P

Q
Q

PQ Cord of desired length

O Center of the cord (where nail is fixed)

Bodhayanas method of constructing a square

Systematic procedure that involves cord & nails, but

NO OTHER MEASURING DEVICE

:pa.a:Zea:na ma:Nq+l+m,a :pa:a=;

a.l+Kea:t,a
O;:va:ma:pa.=;a.s
/ / / /
ma:n,a .tea ya.a

.sa:mea:ya.a:ta.Ma

.tea:na ;a.d
:ta.a:yMa ;a.va:Sk+.}BMa

A.a:ya:.cCe+t,a ;a.va:Sk+.}Ba.a:nta:ya.eaH

Za:*:
U

;
a.na:h:nya.a:t,a :pUa:vRa:a.sma:n,
/ / / / a :pa.a:Za.Ea

:pra: a.ta:mua:.cya l+[a:Nea:na ma:Nq+lM

:pa:a=;
a.l+Kea:t,a O;:vMa d:a.[a:Nea:na O;:vMa
:pa:(
a.a:tde:va:mua.a.=;taH .tea:Sa.Ma yea
A:ntya.aH

.sMa:sa:ga.RaH ta:a:tua.=;(rMa

.sa:}.pa:d;a:tea

May you draw a circle.

Similarly on the other side.
From their points of
instersection (E,F), obtain the
second diameter (RS) . . .


The Sulva
(Pythagorean?) theorem
I

A clear enunciation of the so-called Pythagorean theorem

called bhuj
a-kot.i-karn.a-ny
aya in the later literature is

described in Bodh
ayana Sulvas
utra (1.12) as follows:

8
d.a:GRa:.ca:tua.=;(ra:~ya A:[Na:ya.a.=:
*.uaH :pa.a.(;Ra:ma.a:na.a ; a.ta:yRa.*+;.
a:na.a ..ca ya:t,a

:pxa:Ta:gBUa:tea k
u ++.taH ta:d
u :Ba:yMa k+=:ea: a.ta

The rope corresponding to the the diagonal of a rectangle

makes whatever is made by the lateral and the vertical sides
individually.
Terms
d.a:GRa:.ca:tua.=;(ra:m,a
A:[Na:ya.a .=:
*.uaH

:pa.a.(;Ra:ma.a:na.a

; a.ta:yRa.*+;.
a:na.a

their meaning

Rectangle (lit. longish 4-sided figure)

the diagonal rope

the measure of the lateral side

the measure of the perpendicular side

The word aks.n.ay

a is archaic and hardly occurs in classical literature:
A:[Na:ya.a v.ya.a:Ga.a.=;ya: a.ta

...

ta:sma.a:d:[Na:ya.a :pa:Za:va.eaY:*:;a:

//
a.na :pra: a.ta: a.ta:;a.nta


Katyayana version of Sulva
theorem (with comm.)
I

The K
aty
ayana version of the theorem seems to be a redacted

form of what appears in Bodh

ayana Sulvas
utra.
d.a:GRa:.ca:tua.=;(ra:~ya A:[Na:ya.a.=:
*.uaH

; a.ta:yRa.*+;.
a:na.a :pa.a.(;Ra:ma.a:na.a ..ca ya:t,a

:pxa:Ta:gBUa:tea k
u ++.taH ta:d
u :Ba:yMa k+=:ea: a.ta I+ a.ta [ea.a:a.a:na:m,a

[KSS 2.7]

But for swapping two words, there is only one difference; The
phrase iti ks.etraj
n
anam has been added that this is the most
fundamental theorem in geometry to be known whose
knowledge cannot be dispensed with.

Commenting on this Mahdhara observes:

d.a:GRa:.ca:tua.=;(ra:~ya ; a.ta:yRa.*+;.
*.aU :pxa:Ta:gBUa:tea .sa:tya.Ea ya:t[ea.Ma
a:na.a:pa.a.(;Ra:ma.a:nya.Ea .=:

ya:tP+l+k
M
[ea.Ma .sa:ma:.ca:tua.=;(ra:d
u ++.taH
:yMa k

d.a:GRa:.ca:tua.=;(ra:~ya A:[Na:ya.a
[ea.a:a.a:na:m,a

ta:d
u :Ba:ya:ma:a.pa ;a.ma:
a.l+tMa

k+ea:Na:sUa.a:BUa:ta.a .=:
*.auH

[ea.a:ma.a:na:pra:k+a.=:ea a.a:ta:v.yaH

k+=:ea:ta.a: a.ta I+ a.ta


M
anava version of the Sulva
theorem
I

The presentation of the theorem in M

anava-sulvas
utra differs

from Bodh
ayana Sulvas
utra both in form and in style.

Here it is given in the form of a verse as follows:

A.a:ya.a:mMa A.a:ya.a:ma:gua:NMa ;a.va:~ta.a.=M ;a.va:~ta:=e;Na tua
.sa:ma:~ya va:gRa:mUa:lM ya:t,a ta:t,a k+.Na ta:a.d
u H
:d.ea ;a.va:d

Terms

their meaning

A.a:ya.a:mMa A.a:ya.a:ma:gua:NMa
;a.va:~ta.a.=M ;a.va:~ta:=e;Na tua
.sa:ma:~ya va:gRa:mUa:lM
ta:t,a k+.NRa:m,a
ta:a.d
u H
:d.ea ;a.va:d

the length multiplied by itself

and indeed the breadth by itself
the square root of the sum
that is hypotenuse
those versed in the discipline say so

Using modern notation the result may be expressed as:

p

ay
ama2 + vist
ara2 = karn.a.


Some Pythagorean triplets listed in Sulbas
utras
I

In the very next s

utra following the statement of the theorem,
Bodh
ayana illustrates it with a few examples:

:pa.
*.a :d:a.Za:k+.Sa:a.*
M +a.Za:k+.ya.eaH

I+tyea:ta.a:sua o+pa:l+a.b
/
.DaH

= 52

52 + 122

= 132

152 + 82

= 172

72 + 242

= 252

122 + 352

= 372

15 + 36
I

= 392

:pa.
*.a :d:a.Za:k+a:a.:k+.ya.eaH

d
.a:d:a.Za:k+.pa.*.
a :aMa:a.Za:k+.ya.eaH

32 + 42

d
.a:d:a.Za:k+.pa:
a*.
a :k+.ya.eaH

,
.sa: a.a:k+..ca:tua:a.va;a.Za:k+.ya.eaH ,
ta.a:sa.Ma ;aa:k+..ca:tua:Sk+.ya.eaH

,
[BSS 1.13]

What is interesting to note is the use of the

phrase
I+tyea:ta.a:sua o+pa:l+a.b/
.DaH

[the general rule stated above] is

quite evident in these pairs.
Is there a rationale behind the choice of
these examples?

sval
A few triplets listed in the A
ayana-sulbas
utra includes:
(15, 20, 25) (16, 12, 20)

Rationale behind the choice of examples

Conjecture put forth by Datta (pp. 133-136)
I One of the K
aty
ayana-s
utras presents the relation

na2 =

n+1
2

2

a2

n1
2

2

a2

I Substituting n = m2 , and a = 1, we at once get

2

m +

m2 1
2

2


=

I Here, putting m = 3, 5, 7 immediately

m2 + 1
2

2
.

(1)

(3,4,5), (5,12,13), (7,24,25).

I Rewriting the above equation in the form

(2m)2 + (m2 1)2 = (m2 + 1)2 ,

and substituting m = 2, 4, 6

(3,4,5), (8,15,17), (12,35,37).

I How about the other example of Bodh

ayana (15,36,39)?

(2)

Principle behind generating right-rational triangles

Described by Apastamba
in the context Saumik-vedi
;aa:k+..ca:tua:Sk+.ya.eaH

aH ta.a:a.BaH
:pa:
a*.
a:k+a A:[Na:ya.a.=:*.
u

. ca:tua.=;Bya:~ta.a:a.BaH

(ra.ea:Na.a

*.a:k+.ya.eaH
d
.a:d:a.Za:k+.pa:
a

;aa.=;Bya:~ta.a:a.BaH

AM:sa.Ea

[ASS 5.3]

a:ya.ea:d:a.Za:k+a A:[Na:ya.a.=:

*.uaH ta.a:a.BaH

AM:sa.Ea ;a.d
.=;Bya:~ta.a:a.BaH

[ASS 5.3]

(ra.ea:Na.a

32 + 42

52

(5 + 3.5)2

(3 + 3.3) + (4 + 3.4)
2

20

(3 + 4.3)2 + (4 + 4.4)2

(5 + 4.5)2

252

52 + 122

132

(5 + 2.5)2 + (12 + 2.12)2

(13 + 2.13)2

12 + 16
2

15 + 20

15 + 36

39

(A)

(B)

(C)

It seems Apastamba
has invoked the principle that if (a, b, c) satisfies the
relation a2 + b2 = c 2 , then (ma, mb, mc) also satisfies the same
relationwhere m is an arbitary rational number.

Constructing a square that is sum of unequal squares

An application of the Sulba-theorem

na.a:na.a:.ca:tua.=;(rea .sa:ma:~ya:n,a k+.na.a:ya:saH
A:[Na:ya.a.=:
*.uaH

.sa:ma:~ya:ta.eaH

k+=;Nya.a va:Sa.Ra:ya:sa.ea vxa:Dra:mua:a.+.Kea:t,a vxa:Dra:~ya

:pa.a.(;Ra:ma.a:na.a Ba:va: a.ta

(BSS I.50)

Desirous of combining different squares, may you mark the rectangular

portion of the larger [square] with a side (karan
a) of the smaller one
. y
(kanyasah.). The diagonal of this rectangle (vr.ddhra) is the side of the
sum of the two [squares].
I The term vr.dhra in the above s
utra
refers to the rectangle ABEF.
I Asking us to mark this rectangle, all that
the text says is the cord AE
aks.n
arajjuh. gives the side of the sum
. ay
of the squares.
I In other words,

F
A

AE 2
B

ABCD + CGHI

AB 2 + CG2

AB 2 + BE 2 .

Implication of the above construction ?

I Scholars trained in the Euclidean tradition, puzzled by the mere

statement of theorem, without the so called proofs always wondered

whether the Sulbak

aras knew the proof of Sulba-theorem,
or was it
purely based on empirical guess work?

I Though Sulvak
aras do not give explicit proofs, it is quite implicit in the
procedures described by them. In fact, the previous description of
construction clearly forms an example of that.
I In the figure, ABCD and CGHI are the
two squares to be combined. E is a point
on BC such that CG = BE.
I ABEF is the rectangle that is formed.
Now the sum of the two squares may be
expressed as

F
A

ABCD + CGHI

ABE + AEF + EHJ + EGH + FDIJ

KIH + AEF + EHJ + ADK + FDIJ

AEHK ,

which unambigously proves the

theorem.

Thanks!

T HANK YOU

More about Sulbas

utras in the next lecture!